Assistant professor of human service studies Kristen Sullivan co-authored an article in the most recent edition of the journal Violence Against Women in which she and her colleagues examine substance use by domestically abusive soldiers.
“Substance Use by Soldiers Who Abuse Their Spouses” analyzed data on 7,424 soldier spouse abuse offenders. Results showed that 25 percent of all offenders used substances during abusive incidents, with males and non-Hispanic whites being more likely to have used substances.
Substance-using offenders were more likely to perpetrate physical spouse abuse and more severe spouse abuse. Findings underscore the importance of educating military personnel (including commanders) about links between substance use and domestic violence, and of coordinating preventive and therapeutic substance abuse and violence-related interventions.